Libyan rebels begin final assault on Tripoli

The final assault on Tripoli by the Libyan rebels has begun. Reporters inside Tripoli and on the outskirts are saying that multiple neighborhoods in Tripoli from Feshloum to Tajoura are engaged in running gun battles. Reports of explosions are reported through out the city, as are the mosques calling “God is great.”

This isn’t just rebel brigades coming in, it must be the neighborhoods themselves are finally rising up. Over the past few days we’ve watched the transformation on the internet. Bloggers inside Tripoli saying they will now use their real names, others tweeting that their neighborhoods are becoming ghost towns with all the civilians fleeing.

Twitter is ablaze with rumors that Gaddafi and at least two of his sons, have fled to Tunisia, probably disguised in one of the civilian convoys. There have been scads of these rumors in the last few days. The rebels themelves say they are not sure if the rumors first reported on Libyan TV are true.

Al Arabiya is reporting that Tajoura, a neighborhood of some 200,000 is now enveloped in an open battle. Multiple news outlets are reporting that Gaddafi forces have lost control of more than one area of Tripoli, while the regime spokesman denies it.

Several working class neighborhoods in Tripoli may be in control by the rebels by morning. The airport may also be under their control by then.

Multiple explosions rocked Tripoli on Saturday night and repeated anti-aircraft fire was seen streaking across the sky, a Reuters reporter in the city said. A Reuters update reported some residents received text messages to use weapons to “eliminate the agents.”

Sustained gunfire and thuds were heard in the distance and residents of Tajoura, on Tripoli’s eastern outskirts, reported clashes were under way. Spontaneous anti-Gaddafi protests are ongoing tonight.

Tajoura is definitely a rebellious neighborhood. I met a local Imam from Tajoura who had been imprisoned for preaching against Gaddafi to 1,500 residents. They claimed to have stock piled guns. Now they are using them.

Al Arabiya is reporting that Tajoura, a neighborhood of some 200,000 is now enveloped in an open battle. As multiple news outlets are reporting that Gaddafi forces have lost control of more than one area of Tripoli, while the regime spokesman denies it.